Writing about the business of design

When clients resist your design, it’s rarely about the design itself. Understanding the “why” can help transform how you present creative and guide clients through change.

Clients think agency websites lack clarity because they all look the same. They want to understand what we do better than another – that’s clarity in positioning. We’ve found 3 good examples …

The biggest challenge facing Australian designers isn’t competition—it’s commoditisation. Here’s how to position yourself as a strategic partner rather than a creative supplier.

Most design careers end not with champagne and speeches, but with a gradual fade into irrelevance. Here’s why there are few retirement parties for designers

What kind of help do you need? Do you want a peer who can collaborate and work independently or an assistant with a deep skillset to help you get the job done?

Analysis of what 680 design-buying clients said about their relationship with their design agency; from AI expectations to challenges and differentiation issues.

The most valuable AI applications for designers aren’t about replacing creativity — they’re improving client service and delivering greater value.

Bigger isn’t the only way for a creative business to grow. Here’s 3 proven business models – the skill is to pursue the one that matches your skillset and needs.

Many studios are morphing into production houses. The work is steady, the income reliable, but the creative satisfaction and profit margins are shrinking.

The word “impact” is everywhere. Creative agencies and organisations alike are using it—but how many truly define and measure what they mean by it?

We’ve helped many creatives explain their value. We believed if designers could just articulate their value better, clients would pay higher fees. We were wrong…

Most designers know their work makes a difference, but proving it can be tricky when clients won’t share data. Here’s how to demonstrate impact without access to metrics.